Description
These are the pupae of wild type houseflies, a native strain of no particular pedigree with fully developed wings. They can fly. The pupae are shipped on flour, in a cloth bag wrapped in absorbent paper toweling. This packaging is designed to absorb moisture excreted by the pupae, so the the pupae should be dry and nearly odorless.
Use
In general, foraging animals prefer maggots or pupae, while ambush predators and web weavers tend to prefer adult flies, though there are exceptions. For instance, gumfooted web weavers (theridiids) generally prefer crawling maggots. Fish may take the maggots, pupae or adults, possibly live or frozen, and some make a mashes of any of these for hatchling hummingbirds or other young animals that do not accept other foods well. The pupae may simply be allowed to eclose (hatch) in the cage with your animals or the adult flies may be fed and allowed to fatten up a bit first before they are used. Of course, you can also use the pupae to start your own culture of flies and have a ready source of fresh maggots, pupae and adults as needed.
Storage
In general, foraging animals prefer maggots or pupae, while ambush predators and web weavers tend to prefer adult flies, though there are exceptions. For instance, gumfooted web weavers (theridiids) generally prefer crawling maggots. Fish may take the maggots, pupae or adults, possibly live or frozen, and some make a mashes of any of these for hatchling hummingbirds or other young animals that do not accept other foods well. The pupae may simply be allowed to eclose (hatch) in the cage with your animals or the adult flies may be fed and allowed to fatten up a bit first before they are used. Of course, you can also use the pupae to start your own culture of flies and have a ready source of fresh maggots, pupae and adults as needed.
Feeding
Houseflies need sugar and water after emergence and a good source of protein and nutrients later if you need viable eggs. You can place a shallow Petri dish or saucer of sugar and powder milk in the cage with a small dish of water filled with large wood chips. The wood chips reduce drowning by giving the flies something to walk on. See our housefly kit instructions for ideas on starting your own culture.
Nutrition
The diet of the flies can have a significant effect on the development and health of the animals that using the flies to feed. We do not recommend the use of conventional media for raising feeder insects. Animals raised on conventional media may have slow growth, higher mortality and more cannibalism. Our base formula, which includes sugar, dog food and yeast, tends to result in better development and vitality and may be supplemented with additional nutrients as necessary.
Life History
Houseflies undergo complete metamorphosis, which means that the juvenile very different than the adult. The flies lay eggs, which will hatch as a very, almost microscopically small, worm-like maggot within 24 hours when warm. The hatchlings are called the 1st instars and the maggots will molt, shedding skins twice as they grow and go through 2nd and 3rd instars before pupation. The cuticle (skin) of fully grown maggots will harden and become a stiff case or puparium about 5 days after hatch.